Liquid anti-freeze dispensing traction increasing device



Aug. 15, 1967 I W. J. DZAACK LIQUID ANTI-FREEZE DISPENSING FRACTION INCREASING DEVICE Filed July 27, 1965 INVENTOR WALTER kI-DZAACK A TTOR/VE f5 within the container,

United States Patent 3,336,064 LIQUID ANTI-FREEZE DISPENSING TRACTION INCREASING DEVICE Walter J. Dzaack, Glenshaw, Pa., assignor to Edwin L. Wiegaud Company, Pittsburgh, Pa. Filed July 27, 1965, Ser. No. 475,104 1 Claim. (Cl. 291-1) My invention relates to deicing, methods and means for improving the traction of an automobile tire on an icy surface, and the principal object of my invention is to provide new and improved methods and means of the character described.

I have discovered that when an anti-freeze solution, such as is normally used to prevent freezing of automobile -radiators, is applied to an icy surface, the ice quickly melts or at least softens so that traction in that particular area is improved. The ice melting is greatly improved if the anti-freeze solution is heated and in order to effect concentration of the heated solution in a desired area, I have contemplated the storage of the solution under pressure within a container, The outlet from the container may embody an electric heating element so that the solution is heated as it flows from the container.

I have further discovered that when anti-freeze solution, particularly heated, is applied to a tire portion just before that portion engages an icy surface, traction is considerably improved and the following description discloses embodiments of this invention in the form of method and means for improving the traction of a tire on icy surfaces.

In the drawing accompanying this specification and forming a part thereof, there are shown, for purposes of illustration, embodiments which my invention may assume, and in this drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an automobile, showing an embodiment of my invention,-

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the em bodiment disclosed in FIGURE 1, electrical circuitry being diagrammatically shown, and

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view of another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the embodiment disclosed in FIGURES 1 and 2, a container 10, of any suitable construction, is adapted to be removably connected to a part of an automobile, such as the chassis or the like, by means of a strap 11. An anti-freeze solution is contained within the container 10. Preferably, the anti-freeze solution is under pressure and one way of applying pressure is shown in FIGURE 2, wherein a piston 12 is movable longitudinally the solution being disposed in the chamber 14 so that the pressure of a coil spring 15 against the piston maintains pressure on the solution. A removable cover 15a closes the container and provides a base for the spring 15. The container may be filled by removing the cover and piston, although a side filling opening (not shown) may also be provided.

The outlet 16 of the container is connected to a valve body 17 which controls flow of anti-freeze solution from the container. Any suitable valve may be employed for the purpose and that shown in FIGURE 2 is illustrative only. As herein shown, the valve comprises an elongated body 18 in which is movable a slide member 19 having an opening 20. When the member 19 is slid to position wherein the opening 20 communicates with the outlet 16, anti-freeze solution under pressure will flow through the outlet conduit 21 and through the outlet 22 to the desired area.

In the present embodiment, a solenoid 23 is employed to shift the slide member 19 and as shown, the core 24 of the solenoid is connected to the member 19 so that and particularly to 7 through the outlet conduit when current (such as from the 3,336,064 Patented Aug. 15, 1967 automobile battery 25) is caused to flow through the coils of the solenoid, the core 24 is drawn in the direction of the arrow to register the opening 20 with the outlet 16.

In order to 'heat' the anti-freeze solution as it passes 21, an electrical heating element 26 is disposed within such conduit and is held centered by a series of dimples 27 struck inwardly from the conduit. Thus, a small annular space 28 (somewhat exaggerated in FIGURE 2) provides passage of the antifreeze solution in close contact with the sheath of the heating element to pick up heat therefrom.

A hand switch 29 may be disposed within reach of the operator of the automobile and is operable to effect energization of the solenoid 23 and heating element 26. Since the heating element may take a very short time to heat to full capacity, it is preferable to include a time delay 30 in the circuit between the switch 29 and solenoid 23 so that the latter is energized seconds after the energization of the heating element.

As seen in FIGURE 1, the outlet 22 is disposed as to direct heated anti-freeze solution onto a portion of the tire just prior to its engagement with the icy road (assuming the tire is rotating in the direction of the arrow). This heated solution will be carried by the tire into contact with the icy surface and thereby greatly improve traction.

FIGURE 3 discloses another embodiment of my invention wherein the anti-freeze solution is contained within an Aerosol can 35 which is removably carried within a cup-shaped support 36 carried by the automobile. The cup-shaped support communicates with the outlet conduit 21 as shown, and the electric heating element is disposed within the conduit as before and it and the solenoid 23 may have electrical connections with the battery, switch and time delay as previously described.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 3,. the core 24 of the solenoid is connected to the outlet nipple 37 of the Aerosol can 35 so as to tilt this nipple when the solenoid coil is energized and thus cause flow of anti-freeze solution under pressure from the can and through the outlet conduit 21.

When the contents of the Aerosol can is depleted, another can may be connected into position in the cupshaped support 36. A supply of Aerosol cans 35 may be kept on hand and a can may be carried by a person walking on an icy surface, the nipple 37 being manipulated by a finger of the person and directed to apply unheated antifreeze solution to an icy spot.

In view of the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention and it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein described may be variously changed and modified, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

Traction improving apparatus for a wheeled automotivevehicle, comprising a container containing antifreeze solution, said container having an outlet for delivering solution from said container to the road-engaging surface of a drive wheel of said vehicle, a valve for controlling flow of solution through said container outlet, an electric heating element for heating said solution, an electric motor member for operating said valve, a switch in electric circuit with the storage battery of said vehicle and said heating element and said motor member, said switch being operab' y to permit or interrupt flow of cur- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/ 1893 P-inkham 291-20 11/1916 Jones et al 1 Q91-29 1/1924 John-s 291-20 11/1925 Johns 29 1-20 11/1929 Skolnik et a1 291-20 4 9/1931 Fuchs 291-1 10/1932 Roy 2913 X 7/1954 Mattis 1-801 4/1958 Davis 2911 4/1960 Katz 291-1 2/1961 Peterson et a1 291-1 6/1966 Byers 152-208 FOREIGN PATENTS 11/1932 Germany. 3/1933 Germany.

ARTHUR LA POINT, Primary Examiner. H. BELTRAN, B. FAUST, Assistant Examiners. 

